RBC Transfusion in Severe Anemia With Lactic Acidosis

A Prospective Study of RBC Transfusion in Children With Severe Anemia

The hypothesis of this study is that prolonged-storage RBCs are not inferior to short-storage RBCs for the time required to clear elevated blood lactate levels in children with severe anemia.

This study will measure the time to resolution of lactic acidosis in patients with severe anemia following blood transfusion.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 6 mos to 5 years
• Hg < 5 g/dL and Lactate > 5 mM

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receiving transfusion other than RBCs
• Children with known or suspected cardiac disease